I just reserved a condo at Pointe Santo for Thanksgiving week. Are there any restaurants that you can recommend for a traditional thanksgiving style dinner? Also, will the no-see-ums be a problem at that time of year?

Thanks for a good web site- I've used VRBO before but find the format of this site much easier to use.

Usually Grandma Dot's does a Thanksgiving Dinner and they have a good location at the Sanibel Marina with views of the boats and harbor. Ultra casual, but not cheap. Also check with Dolce Vita, Ellington's at the Sanibel Inn, Sanibel Cafe in Tahitian Gardens, Doc Ford's [one of my island favorites], and Greenhouse Grill. Two of the best possibilities are Beachview Steakhouse at Beachview Golf course and Rassa Steakhouse at Dunes Golf course. Both take reservations and do a nice Thanksgiving. Both are open to the public. The most family friendly spots would be Grandma Dot's, Doc Ford's [kind of a sports bar restaurant], Sanibel Cafe and Greenhouse Grill.

Also, be sure to stop at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center when you hit the island - second building on the right as you leave the causeway - and lick up all the free local newspapers. You'll see lots of adds for Thanksgiving. They usually start around the first week of Nov.

Depends on the amount of rain the temps and winds. They're bad flyers, so on breezy days they can't move much. They also die off when there's little wet, shady areas for them. They will flock to certain types of beach detritus. Generally when I down in Nov/Dec they are a limited problem except on damp rainy days. Worst bites I ever had were walking the beach very early on a wet day in Dec shelling when there was lots of plant and egg casings washed up. Man was I bitten. I now wear legging that are too thick for the little %$#*& to bite thru and use high DEET off or equivalent. Other years, no problem at all. I am careful at dawn and dusk and I do carry the Off! Wipes just in case I need a 'touch up'. :-)